Refrigerant liquefying unit



Aug.'2, 1949.. A. J. TIMMER REFRIGERANT LIQUEFYING UNIT Filed Nov. 2, 1946 G. .nu 20. 4in 0 a s4 zzz mm2 0b a ,W o IJ 0 8 7 f uo A./ e /M i f: o 4Z 62 2, a 33o/denza u8 Fys. 2

INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 2, 1949 REFRIGEBANT LIQUEFYING UNIT Albert J; Timmer, Dayton, hloassignor toGeneral Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1946, Serial No. 707,361

ro claims. l

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to an improved refrigerant liquefying unit.

The liquefying or condensing apparatus disclosed herein is primarily intended to be used with remotely located evaporators and is intended to be mounted out in the open rather than in a special machinery compartment of some re- :Erigeration or air conditioning cabinet. Units of this type are usually sold separate from any cabinet or any evaporator coil and for that reason must be durable and at the same time should be lightweight so as to facilitate handling.

It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerant condensing unit in which the condenser and the receiver are so constructed and arranged that there is no need for either a separate base or an outer casing.

More specifically it is an object of this invention to provide a low cost refrigerant condensing unit in which a stamped sheet metal receiver serves the dual purpose of a refrigerant storage tank and a. base for the condenser and the motor compressor unit. Y.

A further object of this invention is to provide a refrigerant condensing unit in which the condenser is supported directly by the receiver and in which the air circulating fan is in turn supported by the condenser so as to eliminate the need for expensive framework.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a, vertical sectional view, partly diagrammatic, showing the relationship between the elements;

Figure 2 is a top view of the condensing unit with the top grill and a portion of the grill support broken away; and,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the n construction.

Referring now to the drawings wherein I have shown a preferred form of the invention, reference numeral I0 designates generally an annularshaped receiver which constitutes the main support or base member for the condenser I2 and the motor-compressor unit Il. The receiver lll comprises a pair of complementary metal stampings lli and i8 which are hydrogen brazed to one another so as to form a refrigerant-tight tank. The upper stamping i8 has its edges flared as indicated in Figure l so as to facilitate assembly and so as to reinforce the receiver at the juncture of the stamplngs. While I have shown the receiver mounted on legs 20, it is obvious that the legs 20 may be omitted.

A plurality of motor-compressor mounting (Cl. (i2-115) brackets 22 are supported on the upper stamping i8 as best shown in Figure i. The motor-compressor unit M is provided with conventional spring type mounting members 24 which may be secured yto the mounting brackets 22. Condenser supporting brackets 2S are likewise secured to the brackets 22 and serve to support the condenser in proper relationship to the receiver lill. An air circulating fan assembly 3d is held in place by the sheet metal straps 3l which are secured to the brackets 32 which in turn are secured t0 the condenser l2. The brackets 2S and 32 are preferablyhydrogen brazed or otherwise secured to the pipes 34 which constitute the refrigerant conduits for the condenser l2.

In order to eliminate unnecessary weight and unnecessary cost, the condenser fins t0 have been corrugated at their outer edges as indicated at l2 in Figure 3 so as to strengthen the outer edges of the ns and so as to improve the appearance of the unit. This construction makes it possible to omit the usual protective and decorative grill or screen which is normally used for protecting the fins of condensers which are mounted out in the open. Furthermore, even if something does hit against the side of the unit, the lns which may be bent thereby will not be as noticeable as would be the case with fins having )normally straight edges.

A control box 50 has been provided as best shown in Figure 2 within which the necessary controls 'for' the unit are mounted. Access may be had to the control box 50 by removal of the panel 52 which is held in place by means of thumb screws 54. Removal of the panel 52 also gives access to the inner surface of the condenser i2. The fan Vunit 3B is protect-ed by means of the grill assembly 6l] which comprises a grill lt2 and a grill frame 64. The'frame 64 rests upon the upper edges of the condenser ns 40 and l the upper inturned ends of the straps 3i as best shown in Figure 1. A rubber-like gasket is provided at the point of contact between the grill frame ylill and the ns 40. The grill assembly 60 may be omitted in those installations where there is no danger of injury from the revolving fan blades. The fan preferably is arranged to cirv culate the air downwardly through the grill B2 and by virtue of the fact that the top of the casing of motor-compressor unit I4 is positioned intermediate the top and the bottom of the vertically elongated circular-like condenser l2 a great portion of the circulated air is deflected by the casing of unit I4 laterally over convolutions 34 of the condenser coil. By circulating the air downwardly in lieu of upwardly, the condenser remains cleaner longer since the dust which normally collects on the floor is not pulled into the condenser by the air stream. A portion of the air circulated by the fan will sweep the outer walls of the motor-compressor unit I 2 and the receiver I so as to cool the same.

Thel motor-compressor unit I 4 is of the type shown in the patent to Francis I. Rataiczak No. 2,420,442, dated May 13, 1947, to which reference may be made for a detailed description of the internal construction of the unit. Reference numeral 'IU designates the suction line leading from the evaporator 'I2 to the inlet of the compressor. The compressed gas is discharged directly from the compressor through the discharge 'line I4 which is connected to the upper pass or convolution of the condenser I2 which serves as a superheat removing coil for partially cooling the compressed refrigerant before it is discharged into the upper end of the motor-compressor housing via the line 16. The partially cooled refrigerant carries along with it a certain amount of lubricant which is dropped out from the refrigerant within the motor-compressor housing before the compressed gas is returned to the second and subsequent passes or convolutions of the condenser I2 via the outlet line 18. The last pass or convolution of the condenser discharges into the receiver I0 via the connection 80 (see Fig. 2). The liquid refrigerant flowing to the evaporator 12 leaves the receiver through the liquid line 82 within which there is provided a conventional pressure reducing means 84 ahead of the evaporator 12.

By virtue of the above described arrangement, it is apparent that the parts of the condensing unit are very compactly arranged and do not require expensive framework for holding the parts together. Thus, the condenser which is supported by the receiver, supports the air circulating fan and the fan grill.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a, preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination; a stamped sheet metal annular base member having an inner and an outer reinforcing flange; circular condenser means carried by said base member; motor-compressor means including a housing therefor disposed centrally of said condenser means and carried by said base member; means for flowing a cooling medium in thermal exchange with said condenser means and said motor-compressor housing; said base member having a hollow portion constituting a receiver for refrigerant condensed in said condenser means; and refrigerant ow connections between said motor-compressor means, said condenser means and said receiver; said refrigerant flow connecting means comprising first means for conducting compressed refrigerant from said motor-compressor unit into a rst portion of said condenser means, means for conveying refrigerant leaving said first portion of said condenser means into said motor-compressor housing, means for conveying refrigerant from said motorcompressor housing to a second portion of said condenser means, and means for conveying refrigerant condensed in saidsecond portion of said condenser means into said receiver.

2. A refrigerant liquefying unit comprising, a base member including a horizontally disposed annular receiver, means for spacing said receiver above a surface upon which it is to be supported, circular condenser means having its consaid receiver along a vertical axis, a casing located substantially in the center of said vertically elongated condenser means and having a portion disposed in the opening of said annular receiver and spaced from walls thereof, said casing containing a motor and a compressor, means disposed above said casing for circulating air downwardly against and over said casing and said receiver, and the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom of said vertically elongated condenser means for deflecting some of the circulated air laterally over convolutions of said condenser means.

3. A refrigerant liquefying unit comprising, a base member including a horizontally disposed annular receiver, means for spacing said receiver above a surface upon which it is to be supported, circular condenser means having its convolutions extending a substantial distance above said receiver along a vertical axis, a casing located substantially in the center of said vertically elongated condenser means and having a portion disposed in the opening of said annular receiver and spaced from walls thereof, said casing containing a motor and a compressor, means disposed above said casing for circulating air downwardly against and over said casing and said receiver, the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom of said vertically elongated condenser means for deecting some of the circulated air laterally over convolutions of said condenser means, and a. cover for said unit including a grill-like portion for shielding said air circulating means.

4. A refrigerant liquefying unit comprising, a base member including a horizontally disposed annular receiver, means for spacing said receiver above a surface upon which it is to be supported, circular condenser means having its convolutions extending a substantial distance above said receiver along a vertical axis, means for supporting said condenser means in fixed relationship relative to said receiver including bracket means connecting said condenser means and said receiver, a casing located substantially in the center of said vertically elongated condenser means and secured to said bracket means, said casing having a portion positioned in the opening of said annular receiver and spaced from walls thereof, said casing containing a motor and a compressor, air circulating means above said casing for circulating air downwardly against and over said casing and said receiver, means for supporting said air circulating means including bracket means connecting the same to said condenser means, and the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom of said vertically elongated condenser means for defiecting some of the circulated air laterally over convolutions of said condenser means.

5. A refrigerant liquefying unit comprising, a base member including a horizontally disposed annular receiver, means for spacing said receiver above a surface upon which it is to be supported, circular condensery means having its convolutions extending a substantial distance above said receiver along a vertical axis, means for supporting said condenser means in fixed relationship relative to said receiver including bracket means connecting said condenser means and said receiver, a casing located substantially in the center of said vertically elongated condenser means and secured to said bracket means, said casing having a portion positioned in the opening of volutions extending a substantial distance above said annular receiver and spaced from walls thereoi. said casing containing a motor and a compressor, air circulating means above said casing ior circulating air downwardly against and over said casing and said receiver, means for supporting said air circulating means including bracket means connecting the same to said condenser means, the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom oi said vertically elongated condenser means for deiiccting some oi the circulated air laterally over convolutions of said condenser means, and a cover supported on said unit including a grill frame extending a substantial distance above said receiver along a vertical axis, the bottom portion of said condenser means having an outer circumference slightly greater than the outer circumterence oi at least a part of said receiver and surrounding said part oi said receiver, means for supporting said condenser means in xed relationship relative to said receiver including a plurality oi brackets connecting said condenser mns and said receiver, a casing located substantialiy in the center or said vertically elongated condenser means, means for securing said cg to said brackets including resilient mounting means, said casing having its lower portion positioned in the opening oi said annular receiver and spaced irom walls thereof, said casing containing a motor and a compressor, a second motor above said casing operatively connected to a fan ior circulating air downwardly against and over said casing and said receiver, means for supporting said ian motor from said condenser means, the top oi said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom oi said vertically elongated condenser means for deecting some oi the air circulated by said ian laterally over convolutions oi said condenser means, and a cover ior said unit including a -liire portion for r f el said ian.

i.. A refrigerant liqueiying unit comprising, a sealed wir containing a motor and a compressor, a heat excher including two conduit 'rtiona said conduit portions oi said heat ext v being secured together by a plurality oi spaced apar to providea unitary structure in which said i serve to reduce the temperature aradient between said conduit portions of the structure, each conduit portion or said heat enger structure having an inlet and an outiet reirigerant dow means between said and said two conduit portions of said heat exchanger structure, and said refrigerant now means inclug a conduit for conducting com pressed reirigerant from said compressor to the inlet oi a portion oi said two conduit pornous ci said unitary exchanger structure, a second conduit ior conveying refrigerant from the outlet oi said nrst conduit portion oi said unitary structure into said casing and a third conduit for conveying refrigerant irom said casing into a second portion of said two conduit portions of said unitary structure.

3. A refrigerant liquetying unit comprising. a base member including a horizontally disposed annular receiver. a circular heat exchanger including two conduit portions having the convolutions of its conduit portions extending a substantial distance above said receiver along a vertical axis, a casing located substantially in the center of said vertically elongated h'eat exchanger, said casing containing a motor and a compressor, said two conduit portions of said heat exchanger being secured together by a plurality of iins to provide a unitary structure, each conduit portion of said heat exchanger structure havingvan inlet and an outlet, a conduit for conducting compressed refrigerant from said casing to the inlet of a rst portion of said two conduit portions of said unitary heat exchanger, a second conduit for conveying refrigerant from the outlet of said rst conduit portion of said unitary heat exchanger into said casing, a third conduit for conducting refrigerant from said casing into the inlet of a second portion of said two conduit portions of said unitary heat exchanger, a fourth conduit for conveying refrigerant from the outlet of said second conduit portion of said unitary heat exchanger into said receiver, means disposed above said casing for circulating air over said casing and said receiver, and the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and bottom of said vertically elongated heat exchanger structure whereby said casing deects some of the circulated air laterally over convolutions of said heat exchanger structure.

9. A refrigerant liquefying unit comprising, a base member, circular condenser means supported upon said base member and having its convolutions extending a substantial distance above said member along a vertical axis, `a casing supported from said base member and located substantially in the center ofl said vertically elongated condenser means in spaced relation thereto, said casing containing a motor and a compressor, means disposed above said casing for circulating air downwardly against and over said casing, and the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom of said vertically elongated condenser means for deecting some of the circulated air laterally over convolutions of said condenser'means.

10. A refrigerant liquefying unit comprising, a base member including a horizontally disposed annular receiver. a circular condenser carried by said base member and having conduit convolutions extending substantially along the vertical axis thereof from a point adjacent the top oi' said receiver to a point located a substantial distance thereabove, a casing located within said circular condenser, said casing containing amotor and a compressor, means disposed above said casing for circulating air in a downward direction, and the top of said casing being positioned intermediate the top and the bottom oi said vertically elongated circular condenser ior deflecting some of the downwardly circulated air laterally over convolutions o! said condenser.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,880,083 l Getchell Sept. 27, 1932 1,903,825 Mallory Apr. 18, 1933 1,948,155 Alexander et al. Feb. 20, 1934 1,950,510 Miller Mar. 13, 1934 2,134,936 Getchell Nov. 1, 1938 2,311,947 Kucher Feb. 23, 1943 2,420,442 Rataiczak May 13, 1947 

